10 Best Places to Visit in Kashmir

Kashmir is a fascinating and sensational northernmost state of India. It is possibly one of the most delightful holiday destinations in our country. Due to the stunning beauty Kashmir, it is called the “Paradise on Earth.” The abundant natural beauties, astonishing vistas, charismatic valleys, graceful gardens, heavenly hills and joyful climates-all these qualities are relevant with this “Heaven on Earth.” It endows such a glamour which is just beyond the imagination. Purely it is impossible to anyone describing about the state even after returning from this wonderland. The dream loveliness of this place will be kept in mind forever.

The lush valley of Kashmir was preferred by the Mughal Emperors as the most bountiful place during summer. They came here to relinquish the hectic anxieties and worries by staying some day on the cozy lap of breathtaking nature. Almost all travel seekers brain for Kashmir trip to get in touch of tranquility and solace being tired from tedious life schedules and somnolence with bottleneck situation of road and polluted city life-course till date. Numerous tourist attractions have brought this angelic “Heaven on Earth” at the height of tourism success.

Here the top 10 most attractive tourist spots are described as the travel guide of Kashmir tourism.

1. Vaishno Devi Temple

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is considered as one of the holiest shrines of the current era. Shakti is considered as the main tutelary deity in this great temple where the main incantation is “Moonh Maangi Muradein Poori Karne Wali Mata”. The meaning of this hymn is that the Mata Vaishno Devi satisfies her disciples if prayed in a righteous way. This Goddess is worshiped in many names viz. Mata Rani or Vaishnavi. The four objectives of human life are Righteousness (Dharm), Material Pursuits (Aarth), Contentment (Kaam) and Enlightenment (Moksh).

It is the belief that people can acquire these four aims if they visit this holy pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime and pray their homage. So in a single word, Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the best attractions in Kashmir where theists or atheists may come to visit this place. Atheists are equally attracted to this holy place due to the incredible natural loveliness of this pilgrimage.

Shri Vaishno Devi is located in the holy cave of Trikut Mountain where three peaks attract a dime a dozen shutterbugs every year. Due to the popularity of this holy shrine the number of tourists exceeds more than a crore. The unflinching faith works behind the huge rush to visit the sanctum besides an interesting myth. According to Mata Rani, every pilgrim has to visit Vairav Nath Temple along with Adhkawari to complete their fruition of desires.

2. Ladakh

Are you planning to trip Kashmir? Then never miss to put your footstep at the “Land of High Passes.” Ladakh, the “Adventure Capital of India” is the ideal landmark of adventure enthusiasts due to its unlimited majestic offerings. The name of Ladakh is associated with adventure just like student and school. This culturally rich landmark is located in the “Heaven on Earth” i.e Kashmir.

The marvelous sites of Ladakh not only come up with umpteen opportunities for adventure enthusiasts but offer the nature lovers to reconnoiter the rich culture of India. To gain prominence of Buddhist culture this wonderland is called as the “Land of Lama.” Even the tourists may get in touch of ingenious villagers and be intimate with their simple lifestyles.

A never faced in expectation of adventure experience can be achieved through the trekking bonanza to loftiest peaks at Zanskar, Kargil and Indus Valley in Ladakh. Though trekking is the chief attraction of the adventurists but the globetrotters can witness numbers of monasteries, Hemis Gompa is the largest one among them. Besides trekking, the “Land of Chinar Trees” is blessed with varieties of thrilling activities like White Water Rafting, Cycling, Yak & Jeep Safari, Archery, Polo, Mountaineering and many more to entice large quantities of the trekkers and the campers.

3. Dal Lake

The tourist’s paradise Srinagar is the summer capital of Kashmir. Among myriads of tourist attractions in Srinagar, Dal Lake is a jewel which is a wide range of pristine water bouncing back the wooden sculpted balcony rich eye catchy houseboats and the entire stunning area is garlanded with Pir Panjal Mountains. The beautifully decorated Shikaras float on the Dal Lake to transport goods, to reach tourists to houseboats and from flotillas to shore. It is one of the famous places in Kashmir where travel enthusiasts get the amazing offer to stay in gratifying houseboats on Dal Lake.

Even the attractive features of the floating garden and floating market of flowers and vegetables, holidaymakers can book shikaras from lakeshores to reach at these points at ease. So the 15km vast Dal Lake will attract millions of tourists it is needless to say.

4. Shalimar and Nishat Garden

Being travel seeker if you want to get the touch of Mughal instance then you must visit the Shalimar and Nishat Bagh in Srinagar. Tourists keep the specimen of Mughal horticulture by visiting these two beautiful places in Kashmir.

The gardens are typically designed with fascinating fountains, mesmerizing pools and captivating canals to enhance the glamour of these gardens. Among these gardens Shalimar Bagh was the dream offering of Mughal Emperor Jahangir to his queen Nur Jahan to make please. On the other hand, Nishat Garden has also an interesting history.

Though this garden literally means “Garden of Delight” still it is carrying a scandal. This garden was designed and constructed by Asif Khan, the brother-in-law of Jahangir. But Jahangir felt jealous to witness such splendid garden on the basement of Zabarwan and Pir Panjal Mountains. So due to the historical importance Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh become quite alluring tourist place of Kashmir.

5. Wular Lake

The wide-reaching Wular Lake is the consequence of tectonic condition of earth and contribution of the river Jhelum. It is one of the significant places of attraction being the Asia’s largest freshwater lake. The tons of nature lovers come to this point to watch different kinds of migratory and terrestrial birds and water creatures like rosy barb, common crap, mosquitofish and many more.

Among the birds golden oriole, black-eared kite, barn swallow, Himalayan woodpecker, sparrowhawk, alpine swifts and many more can be captured in a lens.

6. Amarnath Temple

Amarnath is a sanctified and holy cave of Lord Shiva, the divine trinity. It is belief that Lord Shiva achieved the immortality in this sacred place. It is considered as one of the popular temples of Hinduism which is located in Kashmir. The ice stalagmite Shiva Linga is the main attraction of Amarnath.

This lingam is found throughout the year except May to August. It is also observed that the shrinkage and expansion of this lingam depends on the phases of moon. Instead of main lingam, there are two more ice formations which represent as Parvati and Ganesha.

During the Shravani Mela the festival of 45days draw lacs of devotees by crossing 42km hilly way from Srinagar to Pahalgam. Instead of very distressing 4 to 5 days bare foot journey, disciplines visit this scared place to get blessing of the diving trinity.

7. Betab Valley

If the travelers want a wide range of spectacular view, then they must visit Pahalgam commonly known as Betab Valley. From beautiful meadow to stunning landscapes, from delightful climate to gorgeous valleys, Pahalgam attracts numbers of tourists with its own uniqueness. The famous Amarnath trip starts from this town instead of horse riding, trekking, hiking, fishing and many more enjoyable amusements.

8. Srinagar

Being the summer capital of Kashmir, Srinagar holds an eternal uniqueness to the travel enthusiasts of all over the world. To arrive the panoramic valley of Kashmir, tourists have to stretch out to this gateway. One of the most important tributaries of Indus, the mirror-sheet like Jhelum River welcomes the tourists after reaching the largest city of Kashmir.

From exclusive houseboats to wonderful waterfronts, from gorgeous gardens to picturesque landscape, Srinagar is enriched with myriads of variety. Among various shrines there are Hazratbal Shrine, Khanqah-e-Mollah, Khir Bhawani Temple, Jamma Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple and many more. Apart from that, Nagin Lake, Tulip Garden, Pari Mahal, Chatti Padshahi, Chashma Shahi Garden convert the city from simple to one of the ravishing tourist spot in Kashmir.

9. Sonmarg

Sonmarg is another beautiful town of Kashmir, located 81km away from the largest city, Srinagar. The travelers come to the “Paradise of Earth” will visit the prominent Sonmarg undoubtedly. This town is enriched with charming valleys and snowy mountains with immaculate lakes. Vishansar, Krishansar, Gadsar, Baltal lake are truly captivating lakes of Sonmarg which draw numerous tourists throughout the year. Another attractive tourist place is the point of Thajiwas Glacier. Sonmarg offers endless exciting activities like hiking, trekking, skiing, horse riding, angling, fishing, river rafting, sledging and many more.

10. Gulmarg

Being a summer and winter resort, Gulmarg is quite prominent to all travel enthusiast. The distance of this hill station from Srinagar is 52km. As tourists get the perfect blend of Kashmir tourism after stepping on the Gulmarg field, it is known as “Meadow of Flowers.”

People of different parts choose their vacation during summer to spend some days on the lap of flowers. Multiple activities are organized during summer. These are trekking, horse riding, fishing, water skiing, mountain biking, golfing and lots of amusements. CNN recognizes Gulmarg as “Heartland of Winter Sports in India.” Apart from all these, the highest cable car named Gulmarg Gondola has brought the place at the height of popularity.

Srimanta Ghosh, a passionate blogger from India, who is the owner and Chief Editor of this blog. Also I'm specialized in content writing as well as travel writing. I would like to motivate you to travel in India through best and up-to-date travel information.
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